ASTM_D_2655_-_12.pdf

Designation:D265512Standard Specification forCrosslinked Polyethylene Insulation for Wire and CableRated 0 to 2000 V1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2655;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This specification covers a crosslinked polyethyleneinsulation for electrical wires and cables in conductor sizes 14AWG 2.08 mm2 and larger.The base polymer of thisinsulation consists substantially of polyethylene or a polyeth-ylene copolymer.1.2 This type of insulation is suitable for continuous use onpower cables in wet and dry locations,for voltage ratings notexceeding 2000 V and at conductor temperatures not exceeding90C for normal operation.For copper conductors,the insula-tion can be applied over the uncoated metal.1.3 Materials covered by this specification are not sunlightand weather resistant unless they are carbon black pigmentedor contain an additive system designed for this protection.1.4 In many instances the insulation cannot be tested unlessit has been formed around a conductor.Therefore,tests aredone on insulated wire in this standard solely to determine therelevant property of the insulation and not to test the conductoror completed cable.1.5 Whenever two sets of values are presented,in differentunits,the values in the first set are the standard,while those inparentheses are for information only.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D470 Test Methods for Crosslinked Insulations and Jacketsfor Wire and CableD1248 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics ExtrusionMaterials for Wire and CableD1711 Terminology Relating to Electrical InsulationD2765 Test Methods for Determination of Gel Content andSwell Ratio of Crosslinked Ethylene Plastics2.2 ICEA Standard:ICEA T-28-562 Test Method for Measurement of Hot Creepof Polymeric Insulations33.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this specification referto Terminology D1711.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 aging(act of),nexposure of materials to air at121C for 168 h.4.Physical Properties4.1 The requirements for the insulation are listed in Table 1.5.Electrical Requirements5.1 Order of TestingPerform the ac voltage,insulationresistance,and dc voltage tests in that order when any of thesetests are required.The sequence for other testing is notspecified.5.2 AC Voltage TestSubject wires and cables to an ac testvoltage for a period of 5 min.Unless otherwise specified,omitthis test if the dc voltage test described in 5.4 is to beperformed.Test at a voltage of 100 V/mil 4 kV/mm based onthe specified nominal thickness of insulation for the ratedcircuit voltage,phase to phase.Conduct the tests in accordancewith Test Methods D470.5.3 Insulation ResistanceThe insulated conductor shallhave an insulation resistance equal to or greater than thatcorresponding to a constant of 10 000 at 60F 15.6C.Whenthe temperature of the water in which the insulation is testeddiffers from 60F,apply a correction factor.Table 2 of TestMethods D470 contains the correction factors.Each insulationmanufacturer can furnish the 1F coefficient for the insulationmaterial by using the procedure given in Test Methods D470.1This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 onElectrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility ofSubcommittee D09.18 on Solid Insulations,Non-Metallic Shieldings and Coveringsfor Electrical and Telecommunication Wires and Cables.Current edition approved Jan.1,2012.Published February 2012.Originallyapproved in 1967.Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D2655 00(2006).DOI:10.1520/D2655-12.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3Available from Insulated Cable Engineers Association,P.O.Box 440,SouthYarmouth,MA 02664 or Global Engineering Documents,15 Inverness Way East,Englewood,CO 80112.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 Multiply the measured value by the correction factor to obtainthe insulation-resistance value corrected to 60F.5.3.1 Where a nonconducting separator is applied betweenthe conductor and insulation or where an insulated conductor iscovered with a nonmetallic jacket so that the insulationresistance can be measured only on the completed assembly,the required insulation resistance shall be at least 60%of thatrequired for the primary insulation based on the nominalthickness of that insulation.5.4 DC Voltage TestUpon completion of the insulationresistance test,each unshielded insulated conductor shallwithstand for 5 min a